History Of The Metis Community In Canada

Running head: HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 1

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Metis is a French word that describes people of mixed ancestry. In our case, the word

Metis refers to Canadian individual that possess mixed European and indigenous ancestry. The

Metis were as a result of the intermarriage between the French fathers (who were fur traders) and

the women of indigenous North American Aboriginals of current Canada. All the same, Metis

have their traditions and a way of life that is entirely distinct from that of the Europeans or the

indigenous community. My main point of deciding to write about this topic perfectly rhymes

with my interests of studying about the Metis community, getting to identify the difference

between the Metis community and the First Nation or the Inuit identity (Barkwell, 2001). The

role of Metis in the History of Canada is demonstrated by considering the work of Andrew

Woolford, who was a scholar of colonial genocides. When the 19th century ended, metis leaders

were deprived of their leadership, termed as treasonous, and the Metis community as a whole

was marginalized.

The history of Metis in Canada plays a vital role in educating the current society on the

contribution of the indigenous Canadian ancestors to the formation and development of the

current Canadian Nation-State. There is a narrative that has been in circulation about how

Canada never had interference from colonialism, i.e., Canada is an antiseptic nation free of

legacies of colonialism. The history of the Metis of Canada plays a significant role in proving the

narrative wrong. Considering that the Metis was as a result of intermarriage between the

Europeans and the Canadian indigenous ancestors, there could be no intermarriage without the

European colonizers. This history also plays a significant role in describing the origin of the

Canadians and the creation of the Canadian State. The Metis developed their own unique culture,

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 3

group identity, and they declared themselves as the "New Nation' after forging treaties and

claiming a bill of a right that marked their new identity (Barkwell, 2001).

The Metis contributed significantly to the growth and development of the economy of

current Canada. As stated above, the French traders conducted the buying and selling of fur. The

Metis were at the core of this trade as they served as interpreters. In this role, the Metis had the

responsibility of facilitating communication among the different traders who used to speak

different languages. The Metis also served as tour guides to new traders who did not have

traveling directions. During the trade, The Metis community continued to facilitate the fur trade

by serving as dock and warehouse workers. Despite being used as servicemen in the business,

the Metis community made a milestone in history by having an invention breakthrough. It is the

Metis community that invented the York Boat and the Red River Cart transport instrument that

significantly improved the transportation of traders and the trading commodities. The Metis

community provided the most basic need for the traders by being excellent fishers. The fish was

used to feed the traders. There was part of the Metis community that was talented in the fishing

known as the ‘Jigger.’ The jigger community was skilled in casting fishing nets under the ice

(Barkwell, 2006).

Back then, domestic animals were rarely enough to feed the Metis community plus the

additional foreign traders. The Metis community did not adopt farming as their way of life. Due

to this, the population was actively involved in buffalo hunting. The buffalo was used to make

pemmican that was considered as one of their best recipes back then. To supplement the food

from hunting, the Metis community was actively involved in gathering wild berries and

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 4

vegetables. These were sold together with the pemmican to the outlying community alongside

the traders.

Another role of the Metis community was training and preparing the foreign traders on

proper ways to adapt to the harsh conditions of North America. On top of this, the population

was so caring such that when there was a drought in North America, one of the indigenous North

American cattle handler (Alexis Bailey) drove a herd of cattle over a long distance, intending to

save the community form starving. Alex Bailey was an entrepreneur. He mobilized the local

community went open up roads and encouraged them to rear oxen that were to be used to drive

the Red River carts. The carts had a positive impact on the fur trade as they were used to

transport the traders and the trading commodities (Barkwell, 2006).

The cattlemen and their Red River cats had an essential role in transporting the miners

and the mineral prospectors that were getting involved with the mining of gold in the United

States of America and Parts of Canada. Later, there was job specialization for the men and

women. Men specialized in farming that included farming activities such as preparing the land

for planting, rearing and breeding horses, and planting crops. On the other hand, women were

involved in taught the foreign language of Europeans and also were trained on the various

mechanisms that were used to prepare and preserve the wild food. This preservation was meant

to see the food staff get through the lengthy winter season.

During their ancient times, the Metis community had organized itself into military units

even before the establishment of police forces. The military groups were useful as they were

involved in any many international defense wars. For instance, the Metis Community military

units fought on the side of British soldiers against the American invasion in Canada during the

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 5

war of 1812. The community was also vigorously involved in major battles such as the first and

second world wars and the war between Canada and Korea (Foster, 2013).

The Metis Community was very relevant in the development history of Canada. The

Metis participated significantly in all industries. Their presence is visible in the education

industry. People like Maria Campbell have produced many books that so far make to be the best

books of their kind. In the trade industry, they left a landmark by wholeheartedly providing labor

and food for the traders. In the science industry, their position in history is unmatched as they

invented the Red River cart to facilitate trade. Through the encouragement and training from the

Europeans, the community had a role in other industries such as medicine, politics, and religion

(Bumsted, 2004). The population was very instrumental when it got to matters concerning

human rights. The Metis maintained a tiff stand against oppression and disrespect for human

rights. It was the start for fight for democracy currently enjoyed in Canada. However, the Metis

community lost their leader by the name Louis Riel, by an act of execution when they lost the

battle of Batoche in 1885. Riel was accused of Treason. Riel was not only the Metis politician

leader but also the founder of a province called Manitoba I Canada. Riel was responsible for

leading the Metis community in two rebellions such as the Red River Rebellion between the year

1869 and 1870. After the uprisings, Riel became the first prime minister after confederation. It

was a significant drawback in their resistance movement that caused their dispersion (Foster,

2013).

The Metis Community was involved in political and constitutional activities, more

vividly in the fight for their rights against discrimination by the Canadian government.

Politically, the metis formed a various political movement that was meant to air their grievances

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 6

to the government. Some of these political movements were the Indian Homemakers Association

that comprised of Aboriginal women. Another group was Union of Bc Chiefs whose role was to

protect the Metis’ title and human rights (Bumsted, 2004).

Despite their role in the development history of Canada as a state. The Metis community

has continued to face various challenges throughout their existence. One of the main problem

facing the Metis community is that the Canadian and U.S governments fail to recognize them as

an independent community that should enjoy the same rights as other communities. These

governments do not find ways to resolve the problems of self-governance, rights to ownership of

land, and proper mechanism to compensate the community for the unfair treatment that it has

faced since the independence of Canada. Other challenges facing the community are listed below

(Foster, 2013).

Limited access to education. According to statistical research in Canada, about one-third

of the youth in the Metis community lack Secondary school.

Reduced health care services – The colonial powers did play a significant role in

determining the accessibility of services such as health care and education. Despite plans by the

World Health Organization (WHO) to educate the indigenous communities on health, they

remain to be the most vulnerable to chronic disease and even respiratory diseases.

 Inadequate housing and overcrowding.

 Unemployment is high among the Metis community.

 Low incomes for members of the Metis community

 Over-representation of the adults in the correction facilities.

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 7

 Increase mortality rates of children and youth

 Increased rates of suicide.

A summary of the role of history of the Metis community in Canada is that the

community was much involved in the development of whatever the Canadian nation is currently.

The population was self-driven to a better future through things did not turn out to be what their

ancestors dreamt of. The community is marginalized and overlooked as if it was non-existing. A

society that was in existence even before colonization, a community that fought had to install the

current form of government does not get to be recognized by the same government.

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 8

References

(2015). 9. The United States / Canada Border and the Bifurcation of the Plains Métis, 1870–

1900. From New Peoples to New Nations, 217–238. doi: 10.3138/9781442621497-015

(2015). 17. Organizational Politics, Land Claims, and the Métis of the Northwest

Territories. From New Peoples to New Nations, 453–489. doi: 10.3138/9781442621497-

024

Bumsted, J. M., & Kuffert, L. (2004). Interpreting Canadas past. Don Mills (Ont.): Oxford

University Press.

Barkwell, Lawrence J. (2001). Metis Legacy, Volume I. Winnipeg: Pemmican Publications,

Gabriel Dumont Institute, and Louis Riel Institute: pp. 1-2.

Barkwell, Lawrence J. (2006). Metis Legacy Volume II: Michif Culture, Heritage, and Folkways.

Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute and Pemmican Publications: pp. 2-5.

Foster, M. H. (2013). Contours of a People: Metis Family, Mobility, and History. Journal of

American History, 100(3), 805–806. doi: 10.1093/jahist/jat438

HISTORY OF THE METIS COMMUNITY IN CANADA 9

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